MHD employees barred from going to Council or Mayor with concerns

MILWAUKEE -- Members of Milwaukee Common Council's Steering and Rules Committee and Milwaukee Health Department leaders on Wednesday, Jan. 31 poured over a 51-page reportreleased late Monday into the city's mismanagement of the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Former Health Commissioner Bevan Baker resigned amid the scandal. Health department leaders told the Common Council committee Wednesday there isa department policy that prevents them from going to the Council or mayor with concerns.

FOX6 News has learned then-Commissioner Bevan Baker signed off on the policy on Oct. 27, 2017, and it took effect three days later. It was scheduled to be in effect for three years before a review, according to the last page of the policy.

The policy mandated that Milwaukee Health Department employees seek authorization from the health commissioner or health operations manager before contacting elected officials -- including the mayor's office, Common Council, Milwaukee county executive, and Milwaukee County supervisors. A handful of employees were given pre-authorization because of their job duties.